A longitudinal analysis of the relations among stress, depressive symptoms, leisure satisfaction, and endothelial function in caregivers.

Objective: Stress and depressive symptoms have been associated with impaired endothelial function as measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), possibly through repeated and heightened activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Behavioral correlates of depression, such as satisfaction with leisure activities (i.e.

Chronic β2 adrenergic agonist, but not exercise, improves glucose handling in older type 2 diabetic mice.

Insulin resistant type 2 diabetes mellitus in the obese elderly has become a worldwide epidemic. While exercise can prevent the onset of diabetes in young subjects its role in older diabetic people is less clear. Exercise stimulates the release of the β(2)-agonist epinephrine more in the young.

Could determinants of PCS and MCS serve for public health intervention regarding chronic diseases in Croatia?

The aim of this article was to identify parameters that determinate PCS and MCS values, and analyze 5-year changes in those values according to the age, sex and geographic region. Cohort of 3229 participants was obtained from the CAHS 2003-2008. Results revealed no statistically significant differences between same age group, sex, and different region regarding PCS and MCS.

The role of α1 and α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors in motor impairment induced by benzodiazepines in rats.

Benzodiazepines negatively affect motor coordination and balance and produce myorelaxation. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which populations of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors containing α1 and α5 subunits contribute to these motor-impairing effects in rats. We used the nonselective agonist diazepam and the α1-selective agonist zolpidem, as well as nonselective, α1-subunit and α5-subunit-selective antagonists flumazenil, βCCt, and XLi093, respectively.

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.

Introduction: Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) is a cavitary, infectious process of lung parenchyma with slow progressive course. Vascular invasion and dissemination to other organs are unusual.

Case Report: We presented a 25-year old man with bilineal acute leukaemia who developed pulmonary and systemic symptoms.

Evaluation of genotoxic effects of lead in pottery-glaze workers using micronucleus assay, alkaline comet assay and DNA diffusion assay.

Purpose: We investigated genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to lead acetate in pottery-glaze ceramic workers.

Methods: The study was carried out in 30 exposed workers and 30 matched controls, to whom several biochemical parameters-the blood lead (B-Pb; range: exposed, 41.68-404.

Cardiovascular Regulation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The majority of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) suffer from hypertension as a complication of both the metabolic syndrome and OSA. In animal studies, intermittent hypoxia that simulates changes seen in OSA leads to chemoreceptor and chromaffin cell stimulation of sympathetic nerve activity, endothelial damage and impaired blood pressure modulation. Human studies reveal activation of sympathetic nerves, endothelial damage and exaggerated pressor responses to sympathetic neurotransmitters and endothelin.

Epinephrine and the metabolic syndrome.

Epinephrine is the prototypical stress hormone. Its stimulation of all α and β adrenergic receptors elicits short-term systolic hypertension, hyperglycemia, and other aspects of the metabolic syndrome. Acute epinephrine infusion increases cardiac output and induces insulin resistance, but removal of the adrenal medulla has no consistent effect on blood pressure.

Fatty liver index as an indicator of metabolic syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to find an early indicator of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Design And Methods: We measured several anthropometric, biochemical, haematological, and oxidative damage parameters in 128 middle-aged Caucasian men divided into two groups: patients with MetS (n=69) and healthy controls (n=59), and used Weka REPTree and SimpleCART algorithms to identify the most reliable predictor of MetS.

Results: Oxidative damage parameters did not differ between the groups, suggesting that oxidative damage is less prominent at the early stage of MetS.

[Cavernous hemangioma of the lung].

Introduction: Cavernous hemangiomas are benign vascular tumours rarely described in the lungs. Symptoms include respiratory distress, cardiac failure and massive haemoptysis, but they are mostly asymptomatic.

Case Report: A 67-year-old woman was referred to our institute and treated for pneumonia.

Depressed mood and flow-mediated dilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This systematic and quantitative review evaluates the literature on associations between depressed mood and flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of endothelial function, in adults.

Methods: Published English-language articles (through December 2010) were identified from literature searches, assessed for data extraction, and evaluated for quality.

Results: The literature includes cross-sectional (n = 9) and retrospective examinations (n = 3) of how FMD correlates with clinical or subclinical depression in healthy adults and cardiovascular patients (total N across 12 studies = 1491).

Long-term follow-up study of genome damage elimination in patients with testicular seminoma exposed to ionising radiation during radiotherapy.

The rate of genome damage elimination after therapeutic exposure to ionising radiation was estimated in stage I testicular seminoma patients monitored over a seven-year follow-up. DNA damage elimination in peripheral lymphocytes of ten subjects was analysed by the chromosome aberration assay. Seven years after the end of radiotherapy, significantly increased frequency of ring and dicentric chromosomes was still detected in comparison with baseline values.

Endogenous epinephrine protects against obesity induced insulin resistance.

Epinephrine (E) is a hormone released from the adrenal medulla in response to low blood sugar and other stresses. E and related β2-adrenergic agonists are used to treat asthma, but a side effect is high blood sugar. C57BL/6 mice prone to overfeeding induced type II diabetes had the PNMT gene knocked out to prevent E synthesis.

Antihypertensive therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose Of Review: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often have hypertension that is difficult to control. We review the causes of OSA hypertension and evidence supporting specific therapies.

Recent Findings: Sleep apnea commonly accompanies the metabolic syndrome and renal insufficiency.

Inadequate face mask ventilation--clinical applications.

Face mask ventilation is a life saving technique. This article will review aetiology and patophysiological consequences of inadequate mask ventilation. The main focus will be on circulatory changes during induction of anesthesia, before and in a short period after intubation that could be attributed to inadequate mask ventilation in humans.

[Genome instability and bleomycin sensitivity test].

Estimation of individual susceptibility to mutagens is often a part of epidemiological studies monitoring the appearance of malignant disease in different populations. Genome exposure to mutagens can lead to DNA damage. The rate of damage depends on individual differences in response, which are usually associated with differences in DNA repair capacity.

[Normal and cut-off values of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay on peripheral blood lymphocytes in the Croatian general population].

The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay on peripheral blood lymphocytes is one of the most important methods employed in cytogenetic biomonitoring. For the purposes of biological dosimetry, it is important to know the spontaneous frequency of a biomarker and its normal values in general population. These values are used for population databases, which should be updated regularly.

An excess vessel in the posterior part of the human cerebral arterial circle (CAC): a case series.

Background: As a continuation of the previous findings in human fetuses, accidental finding of an accessory vascular component in the posterior part of CAC of human adult cadavers inspired the authors to present and compare its posterior part configuration.

Case Presentation: Examination was carried out on brains of 48 human adult cadavers, routinely dissected at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. The aberrant vessel in the posterior part of four CACs was discovered.

The tangible handoff: a team approach for advancing structured communication in labor and delivery.

The tangible handoff tool, a standardized, patient-specific, two-sided pocket card that guides nurses through transfer of care at each shift, is intended to improve continuity and coordination of care in labor and delivery.

Correlation between folate and vitamin B₁₂ and markers of DNA stability in healthy men: preliminary results.

The aim of this study was to find correlations between folate and vitamin B₁₂ on baseline damage in white blood cells and their association with smoking, alcohol consumption and ageing. Thirty-six healthy vitamin non-deficient male subjects were selected in a randomized study. Comet assay (SCGE) and micronucleus (MN) assay were used as biomarkers of DNA damage.

Association between chronic caregiving stress and impaired endothelial function in the elderly.

Objectives: We examined the relationship between chronic caregiving stress and endothelial function.

Background: Evidence suggests that caregiving stress is associated with pathophysiologic processes related to atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is a possible underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between caregiving stress and cardiovascular morbidity.

Genomic instability in a healthy elderly population: a pilot study of possible cytogenetic markers related to ageing.

Accumulation of DNA damage may play a significant role in the aetiology of the ageing process. Although genomic lesions increase the risk of cancer, many elderly individuals do not suffer from neoplasia in spite of their late age. We aimed to evaluate the rate of genome integrity impairment among elderly subjects without recorded chronic or inflammatory diseases and malignancies.

Mechanisms of modulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by chronic Trichinella spiralis infection in Dark Agouti rats.

Trichinella spiralis is a helminth that provokes Th2 and anti-inflammatory type responses in an infected host. Our previous studies using Dark Agouti (DA) rats indicated that T. spiralis infection reduced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) severity in rats.

Endothelial function: the impact of objective and subjective socioeconomic status on flow-mediated dilation.

Background: Although objective and subjective indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) are linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), little is known about their relationship to endothelial dysfunction, which often precedes CVD.

Purpose: This study examined how objective and subjective SES relate to brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods: FMD was assessed in 72 healthy adults (mean age 36 years).